By Onesi La Fleur, BTh
A quick but comprehensive examination of our world’s current social, economic, and political context has confirmed the divine truth that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is a safe haven for the world’s young people. Now more than ever, the church should accept its divinely mandated mission to save young people. Ellen White (2010) affirms:
The Lord of heaven is looking on to see who is doing the work he would have done for the children and youth. The eyes of our brethren and sisters should be anointed with heavenly eyesalve, that they may discern the necessities of the time. We must be aroused to see what needs to be done in Christ’s spiritual vineyard and go on to work. (p. 16)
A thorough socio-economic and socio-political examination of the social settings in which today’s youngsters are raised would reveal that the Church’s role should be even more significant. According to the research, many young people today are growing up “in an era of social instability, urban decline, inefficient and corrupt administrations, ineffective and inadequate educational systems, massive public debt, increasing environmental concerns, racial polarization, high divorce rates, and declining values” (Marenko 53). As a result, it is evident that many of the youth who now sit in our churches, attend our schools, participate in our Pathfinder and MasterGuide clubs, and their young non-Seventh-day Adventist community friends are a generation in crisis, isolated and indifferent, with no identity. It is obvious that the social processes put in place by those tasked with the leadership of our society’s social development, have failed.
Because we have the opportunity of living in such a pivotal period in earth’s history, it is time for God’s people and church to draw on the divine knowledge that is always available to us to guide our youth on the road of spiritual growth and development. Many of the young people who sit in our congregations Sabbath after Sabbath exhibit an attitude that demonstrates poor spiritual nourishment and a lack of sincere commitment to a biblical and Christocentric lifestyle. In the book Gospel Workers 1915, Ellen White (2011) makes an interesting statement:
When the youth give their hearts to God, our responsibility for them does not cease. They must be interested in the Lord’s work, and led to see that He expects them to do something to advance His cause. It is not enough to show how much needs to be done, and to urge the youth to act a part. They must be taught how to labor for the Master. They must be trained, disciplined, drilled, in the best methods of winning souls to Christ. Teach them to try in a quiet, unpretending way to help their young companions. Let different branches of missionary effort be systematically laid out, in which they may take part, and let them be given instruction and help. Thus they will learn to work for God. (p. 210)
In examining this quotation more closely, it is evident that the young people in our churches and communities should not be disregarded, condemned, or abandoned, although their social maladjustments may appear to create an impenetrable divide between them and their elders.
When a comprehensive picture of the plight of the youth is examined objectively, it becomes clear that in order for today’s youth to be saved, they require the loving, experienced arms of elders to be flung around them. We need to build a Holy Spirit-inspired mentoring and nurturing ministry for the youth, within the walls of our churches, the environments of our schools, and the comfort of our homes. It is past time for those in our churches who are seniors by biological age and Christian experience, to once again mentor and nurture today’s youth, who are clearly weakened and in need of the shelter of the Church, and the loving shoulder of our wonderful Lord to lean on.
Dr. Baraka Muganda, Director of the General Conference Youth Department, provides some suggestions on how we can meet the challenge of ministering to, and nurturing our young. He suggests that we:
1. Lead them to Jesus who will make the difference.
2. Challenge them to read the Bible; do not entertain them.
3. Mold them into the image of Christ.
4. Present them with, and live according to God’s standards at all times.
5. Heal them in places where their souls have been destroyed by the mistakes of adults.
6. Empower them for service, make it a trademark for every youth.
7. Establish and strengthen their AY societies, Pathfinder and MasterGuide Clubs in every Church.
8. Make salvation and service the foundation of all youth activities.
Finally, I’d like to point out that the young are in desperate need of the care of the older and more mature believers in Christ. Let us pray for the development of effective programs that will assist our youth in becoming God’s witnesses and as they prepare to meet him when He returns.
References
Marenko, Emilio Garcia. “Understanding Contemporary Adolescents and Young Adults.” Youth Ministry Accent, 3rd and 4th Quarter 1999.
Muganda, Baraka. “New Millennium New Generation.”
White, Ellen. Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students.
White, Ellen. Gospel Workers. Pacific Press Publishing.
Youth Ministry Accent, 1st Quarter 2000, 5.
